12 JULY 1919, Page 12

KEEPERS AND RARE BIRDS.

[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR.")

Sta,—"Loosestrife " writes to you about keepers and rare birds. What affection has he for sparrowhawks and cormorants? A sparrowhawk kills at least one bird a day, 365 per year. Ten sparrowhawks kill 3,650 per year., A cormorant eats its own weight in fish per day, say ten pounds; ten cormorants eat one hundred pounds. I consider that gamekeepers are the most perfect examples of food controllers that can be produced, because they increase the amount of eatables for human beings. I agree that kestrels and owls ought to be preserved.

They do good.—I am, Sir, &c., H. ACHESON. County Cavan Club.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.")